KFIZ News Friday 9/16/16

DFP Asking FDL City Council For More Funding In 2017

The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership will be asking for additional funding from the city to fund a master plan for downtown development. During the City Council meeting this week Business Improvement District Board Member Tony O’Malley said the Downtown Exploratory Committee will be asking for a 5-year master plan and the DFP would like to see that happen too.  O’Malley put in a request for a specific amount in addition to the support the City already gives DFP programs. He proposed $123,000 in additional funding, $90,000 of which is needed for four new initiatives. O’Malley told the Council two of the initiatives would work nicely with a 5-year development plan. The DFP will present its annual budget request at the City Council’s September 28th meeting.

Ripon Common Council Approves Parking Plan

The Ripon Common Council this week approved a plan to allow permit parking only for residents living in the area of Alliance Laundry Systems. City Administrator Lori Rich says that would be for parking between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. She says certain areas would be designated permit parking only. She says that would alleviate some parking problems and street congestion. She says Alliance employees parking in front of people’s homes causes problems with garbage pick up, brush pick up, and snow removal. She says Alliance Laundry System officials have told them they have sufficient parking on their grounds, but it may not always be convenient.

Work On Hwy 23 And K Intersection Beginning Monday

The State Department of Transportation tells us the construction of interim safety improvements to the intersection of State Highway 23 and Fond du Lac County Highway K in Fond du Lac will begin next Monday. The $274,000 project is scheduled to be complete in November. It will involve the installation of slotted left turn lanes in the median of State Highway 23 at the County Highway K intersection and installation of right turn lanes on County K. The median crossover just west of the intersection will be removed and improvements will prohibit left turns and through movements from County K. Highway 23 will have lane closures, and County K at the intersection will close for 7 consecutive days in October.

Property Taxpayers Will Get A Lower Tax Rate On Their Dodge County Taxes

Dodge County taxpayers will see a slight break on their county property taxes this December. According to initial estimates County supervisors will be considering a $33 million tax levy or about $300,000 more than this year’s levy. That would put the mill rate at $5.63 per thousand dollars of assessed value on a property; a decrease of four cents.  On October 18th the 2017 County Budget will be presented to the County Board. The board will consider adopting it at their November 15th meeting. 

United Way Campaign Off To A Good Start

The Fond du Lac Area United Way kicked off its fall fundraising efforts during last Saturday’s Fondue Fest. The goal this year is to raise $760,000. United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says thanks to their pacesetters Society Insurance and Fox Valley Savings Bank and other contributors they are off to a good start with $136,000 raised. This week was also their Week of Sharing. Kilawee says volunteers contributed time to help out some of the agencies the United Way funds in the county. She says one of those efforts is today. She says the Red Cross is doing a smoke detector installation program in conjunction with J.F. Ahern. She says about 150 volunteers helped out at area non-profits this week.

Survive Alive House Used To Teach Fifth Graders

Fifth graders in the Fond du Lac area got a taste this week of what it is like to be in a burning building, but without the actual fire. Fond du Lac Fire and Rescue Division Chief Troy Haase says they use the Survive Alive House to simulate a house fire. It’s on a trailer they can take to schools to teach kids about what to do during a fire. He says non-toxic smoke is run through the Survive Alive House and they teach kids what to do in that situation. He says kids should know what to do when a smoke detector goes off during a real fire. They also instruct the children on knowing where the exits are, emergency planning, and what to say if they have to make a 911 call.

New Members For FDL Festivals Board Of Directors

Fond du Lac Festivals has added Terry Davis, Steve Flemming, and Dan Hebel to its board of directors. Davis is the Owner of Record Entertainment Disc Jockey Service and the President of Radio Plus Media Center. Steve Fleming works in the Marketing Department of Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac. Hebel is the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Fond du Lac.